Monday, June 30, 2008

PART 2- I NEED your help BLOG friends.....

I have some very devoted, loyal, lovely readers....if I could kiss your faces, I would. I have shared my life with you and vice versa for some.

SO- I'm at what feels like a "choice making" crossroads and I need your help. My mom has always said, "JUST DECIDE and do it."

Well, I hate making choices, but I don't want life to make them for me because of my apathy, so instead....I'm making a poll. My best friend and I usually give each other "three options" for whatever it is we're doing/eating/where we're going, etc and that is how we decide. What can I say, we're both Sagittarius', fickle and chameleon.

I've wanted to travel for a long time, but I haven't taken the initiative to just GO (though the goal is to go on tour and then all of that is taken care of) and I'm always trying to decide where to make my next home......or where to live (for sometime at least.) Somewhere liberal (sorry conservatives, though I doubt you're reading my blog), somewhere artistic and inspiring....interesting.....

Because you are all scattered about the world, I figured I'd make this an OPEN DISCUSSION....where should Chelsea Talks Smack go next????? Should she travel and to where? Or, should she make a home for herself somewhere...(for awhile) and where should it be????? What place on the map do you think "fits?"

Hey, I may even take your advice. That'd make this whole blog interesting wouldn't it....we'll see....

We are the most socialist first world country there is - without going communist.

Also, we have the most beautiful natural environment there is, at least I think so.

Interior camping permits to algonquin are like dollars a night, and it's unspoiled nature in the Canadian shield. Ontario's largest predator (the black bear) can be scared off with a loud BOOGA BOOGA BOOGA!

And even if you do get mauled by our few rogue bears, health care is taken care of. No need to worry about insurance.

Canada's got it all - and if you decide to travel to Europe as a Canadian, no one hates your guts, like they would as an American tourist ;)

Honestly? Try the midwest. Minneapolis is a fantastically liberal city with beautiful parks and rivers and an unbelievably active artsy community. I think you'd love it. It's kind of the Seattle of the midwest.

I'm from Texas so I have to suggest something there. Move to Austin! It is pretty much the liberal capital of Texas, there is tons of amazing live music on Sixth Street, it's a university town (University of Texas), great weather, the hill country around Austin to explore, low cost of living. It's pretty much San Francisco but cheaper. There are tons of reasons to move there.

The other great option is Buenos Aires. I am living in a city close to there. BA has a wonderful nightlife and it is cheap to live there. There are tons of young expats from all over the world to meet.

As for liberal and inspiring, I grew up in Seattle. I love it and if I could handle the weather, I'd stay there forever. From your last post about loving curling up with a hot coffee, I think you could make it your perfect home.

OH- and I forgot to mention....the reason I keep hopping between the two major entertainment cities (ny and la) is due to the fact that I have an urgent need to be famous? Yes, that's right. Though if you READ my blog, you know that music/acting etc. are my LIFE, so I need somewhere that has a platform for that.....

fliflops- i love seattle. LOVE. Forgot to mention also that Seatle is completely OUT OF QUESTION....my ex lives there, I almost moved there for him and I think the idea of him would make me want to vomit everday. HE TOTALLY RUINED AN AMAZING CITY. Someday, but not now.

I suggest Portland, Oregon. It's very liberal, has a great, funky vibe. They take care of each other there. It's like Seattle, only with better public transportation and no ex-boyfriend! It's at least worth a visit for sure, though I think people can only appreciate Portland and it's mindset if you live there.

I'm not sure how much help I can offer here, I am facing the exact same question myself. I am considering Boston, New York, Denver and Seattle. I have lived in two of these cities before (NY and Seattle) but am unsure of making my "home" there and "settling down" so to speak. My idea is to go to each city for 3-6 months traveling light the whole time, then decide in two years or so. Like you, I want someplace liberal, artsy, innovative and progressive. I also want (fairly) reasonable cost of living, great transportation options and a place with four actual, real seasons. Oh and the evening news at 11pm like it's supposed to be, not that I watch it, but it affects the one show I do watch, House. I say just try out the cities like you were trying on dresses and see how you feel about each one. (Any advice on Denver for me?)

My favorite vacation ever in my life was when I went to Vancouver. I absolutely love that city! It's so beautiful, the people were so friendly, I really think if I could move anywhere in the world it would be there.

Hmmm... well if Seattle is out of the question then I'd say Austin it is! You've got the music here and the good weather *ahem* but I might suggest waiting until the fall. It's HOT here right now. If it were me and I had the ability to up and take off anywhere (without selling everything I have, dropping school and a great job) I'd head to Rome for a few months first. Then to Ireland... then to Paris.... ok, I won't let the dreaming get away from me here!

I second Renee that the Midwest is surprisingly liberal. And not so in-your-face-how-dare-you-not-agree as say, Boulder, or NYC.

I'm loving it here in the Hudson Valley, but I don't think I would have moved here without the great job. However, folks around here have great things to say about Albany, although I can't vouch for that myself.

I'm a liberal conservative. But can appreciate another person's differing opinon so let's be buddies. Do you young kids still say buddies? :)

I vote for travel girl! You are only young and not tied down for so long. One day you will be married, have kids, have a job that keeps you in one place, and you will wish you travled more. Go for it!!

I feel you. I need a change in scenery myself. I was thinking vegas or LA, but NYC has so many opportunies. It just all comes down to what you can afford as far as living expenses. But who wants to be practical when they are planning to travel?

Go Travel! Explore the world, go couchsurfing, write about all your crazy experiences, the people you meet, what Chelsea feels, the sights you see, all in your unique writing style.

So hop across the Atlantic, and start off in Amsterdam, Copenhagen or Stockholm to visit the old world the new way: visiting folks you met online, and blogging your way over the world. Only overland travel allowed (with the exception of crossing the oceans).

You should go to London! It is one of my favorite places in the world. A friend of mine went there through http://www.bunac.org/ which helps you get set up and get a VISA. Basically you get a job being a bartender or something and they help you find a roomate and you can stay from 3-6 months. Its a short period of time but its totally worth it. That way you work for a little bit but can spend the rest of your time exploring. Check it out.

Vancouver, BC!I'm completely biased because I live here, but it's pretty kick ass. The music scene is pretty decent (for a Canadian city.) It's gorgeous. The scenery is beautiful. It's got a great vibe. It really is a fab place to live.

Just discovered your blog through 20sb (thanks for adding me!), I'd say go to the UK. Specifically, check out York. That city has everything going for it, wonderful pubs, a great art scene, a gorgeous cathedral, museums, parks, a river..just everything. I'd also suggest any city in Holland, that place is bitchin'..:-)

San Francisco is a great place to live for a few years. I had a blast living in the city. I miss it all the time. But living in San Diego is pretty wonderful too. San Diego has the one thing San Francisco is missing...fabulous weather.

while i totally understand your bounce back and forth, i love new york and will be staying here for awhile. (though if i had come from LA it might not have held me as long.) my vote is that you get a job teaching english as a second language somewhere unusual--i have a friend who just got back from korea, and family friends who lived in the netherlands for two years. then, you get paid to live somewhere exotic, you can travel on your copious time off (teachers get sweet vacation time, and it's way cheaper once you are already on that continent), and you'll really get to settle into someplace foreign.

have you read "eat, pray, love"? not to be all oprah-book-clubby, but i thought it was great, and she basically follows three different passions she has (always wanted to learn italian, live on an indian ashram, visit bali) to a new life.

Movies are filming in Canada because us Canadians have all the infrastructure and none of the pretension or cost.

Silent Hill was filmed in my Cities downtown.

I work for a local water utility. In one of the towns I look after there have been about four movies shot in my time there.

Those movie assholes open hydrants to slick the roads, WITHOUT paying for the water and without letting us know, sending system pressures shooting over hells half acre and making me reassure 88 year old betty brownnose that she'll have water in her home top the hill real soon.

The incredible hulk, the new movie out now, filmed in bellville, toronto, hamilton, dundas, and a little bit in New York and Rio Di Janero.

Sounds exactly like your sort of scene.

If you think you have a shot ;)

And don't worry, you can join all the other aspiring actors up here on our generous social welfare system. See, unlike Hollywood, you don't have to wait tables. You can sit on your ass and you'll GET PAID FOR IT!

please travel to south east asia, go backpacking in the temples of cambodia, beaches of thailand, men in bali. I promise to show you around and take you out for a great time in Thailand if you come down here. do it do it!!!

I think over christmas time you should head out here to Australia for our summer, and come and party. The weathers beautiful, the beaches are more beautiful, and the men well wow. You can lie in the sun, on the beach, and watch the hot men in the surf, all at once.

I totally reccomend Australia, if you haven't already been there, and if you have you should go back because it's huuuuuuuuuge and there is so much to do and see. I studied abroad in college in Newcastle, which is close to Sydney in New South Wales. Another good thing about Australia is that you don't have to learn a new language when you're there, except for some funny words/slang they use like "doona" for comforter and "uni" for college/university. Also, I've never been to Amerstdam, but my boyfriend HIGHLY reccomends it.

I'm taking ALL of your travel suggestions and weighing my options.....THANK YOU THANK YOU, tell your friends to stp by and leave their thoughts too....MAYBE, just maybe....I'll try to hit ALL of them........

1. Travel, you will meet tons of people, experience different cultures, have relationships around the continent, have a place to sleep in any state for free, life a humble life with a healthy dedication to experience new beginnings.

2. Settle. Meet a good amount of people and become very close friends, dive into your local community and enjoy eveything is has to offer or change anything you see fit, enjoy traveling once a year for vacation with friends and family, and live a life surrounded by close friends in one place to call home.

I say travel for a bit to figure out where you'd like to root. Definitely check out Vancouver. I used to spend a great deal of time there and it is absolutely amazing. It's a lot like San Francisco (another great choice), but very clean, no graffiti or garbage, and the people are warm, friendly and beautiful. Stanley Park is beautiful. Close to mountains, great food, liberal, artistic, and they make movies there.

I have been wanting to go to Italy forever and now I get to go next month. Yay! I also want to go to Canada and Alaska, and anywhere in Africa at some point, but that's after Guatemala when I have more money.

Just go. I have found it too easy to let life get in the way, put it off and say 'oh next year', but I don't want to look back one day with regrets. Anywhere you go that you haven't been before will be an adventure. So stick a pin in a map and go. :)

My life on the road has been a hectic and awesome hodgepodge of crazy experiences in different places with weird and incredible people... and lots and lots of international boozing!

I'm really excited about you making this decision! it brings me back to the stressful days of selling all my belongings and cutting ties with America... difficult to do, but well worth it in the end.

I hope that somewhere on your list of places to go, you save a spot for wherever I happen to be at the time.. (you can get easy work visas for New Zealand and Australia!)

Here is my real advice:

The thing is...if you're open to it, life is awesome no matter where you are. so why not travel? and take it slow. make a home for yourself everywhere you go and stay a while. leave behind friends, lovers, and great memories.

you wont regret a thing.

and if you need more travely inspiration, you know you can live vicariously though me at www.JustinWasHere.com!

Looking for somewhere liberal and REALLY interesting?!?!?!?!Well then your place is definitely Brazil!!!!

Love beaches and sun all year? The northeast states. Do you like cold? Well there is the south (some times it even snows! Hard to believe that in Brazil uh???). Want somewhere that works 24/7 (prety much like NY)? Well.. your place is Sao Paulo! The southeast region's north littoral is the most gorgeous thing you can think and imagine, and my favorite place in the world (specially Ilha Bela). And of course there is The amazon and Pantanal... :) you could spend a whole life round Brazil and see only part of what it has best...Talking of which... the people are the warmest, most helpful and friendly you will ever find...

And did I tell you the word "liberal"??? lol

Seriously... whatever your taste we've got it! hehehehe.

I am more than available to give you more tips should you become interested on the prospect! :)

why not go to virginia and take pictures with the colonial people, "learn" how to make your own food, then chill on the beach. you can even go to the cleanest theme park in the nation. i can show you around!

OR, go to tennessee. nashville, memphis, knoxville.

but, i also recommend going abroad before prices get WAY too high. if you go to london, stay in a hostel and fly to ireland for 10 bucks and take the train to paris for a few days.

I say travel! You must go to Europe if you haven't already (sorry, I'm a new reader to your blog and haven't read everything you've written on traveling). On my to-do travel list are also South America, South Africa and China. I've been to Europe a couple times, so if you have questions on traveling there I'd be happy to answer questions!

As far as moving to a different city, I'd second the votes for Chicago and Denver. Someday I'll move to Colorado...

omaha, NE is actually one cool city. my best friend has lived there for the past couple years and i visit every chance i get. great music, arts, shopping, culture, blah, blah, blah. oh, and the cost of living is pretty low too.

Being a Texan I will obviously throw out Austin. It has a great music scene (a great dance scene too) and it's super laid back. Although before you settle I would suggest visiting Rome and some other European countries. Rome is a-maz-ing!!!

if you want a pretty liberal, exciting city with a thriving scene for art, acting, and music, you have to strongly consider chicago.

i'm pretty involved with theater here, and it's an exciting time to be in the second city for actors who want to start a real career, and have access to people who make quality art and have access to the upper echilon of NYC and LA.

then you've got the midwest vibe, which is very friendly, approachable, and active. it's a nice mix of urban and outdoorsy (which can be hard to find in the BIGGEST cities in the US).

If you decide to travel (or when you decide to travel) you should definitely check out Istanbul. I'm in love with that city! It's an intersection between many different cultures.

I agree that Portland could be the city for you. I've always wanted to live there. There or Phoenix or Salt Lake. I know, random. How'd I end up on the East Coast? I live in Raleigh, which is great, but I don't think we share the same ideas of what make a city great, so I don't know that you could take my word for it. It does have a lot to offer though, with several big schools in the area drawing in interesting people and arts and stuff.

If you are looking for a place to move I would suggest Austin, TX. It is liberal, has a great music scene and beautiful terrain. My second suggestion would be Nashville, TN. It is such a unique city. I absolutely love it there!

If you are looking to travel here are a few of my favorite places:Destin, Florida: The beach is one of the most beautiful I have seen! There is a lot to do in the town and you will meet some very interesting people.

Chicago, Illinois: My all time favorite city! It is beautiful and there is so much to do! I also find that it is very easy to get around the city.

New Orleans, Louisiana: For Mardi Gras. I am from Louisiana and I can tell you that visiting N. O. for Mardi Gras will be an experience of a lifetime. It will be something you will never forget. They have a good music scene too.

Bora Bora, French Polynesian Island: By far, the best vacation I have been on!!! It is breathtakingly beautiful! I can’t wait to go back.

Well, if you are for keeping in the acting/performing vibe, I would definitely vote San Francisco followed by Vegas as a distant second place. SF is my adopted home-town and I am absolutely in-love with the city. And as far as performing goes, it is arty enough to get your start, for sure. Move to Vegas if you can stand 120 and no humidity..it's like living in a blow dryer.

As for as traveling? Well, I just mapped out a 4-year trip around the world that I will most likely not be taking, but I am in love with the entire world. Iceland, Sweden, Romania, Morocco, Jordan, Dubai, South Africa, Kenya, India, Thailand, Myanmar, Mongolia, China, Japan, Peru, Costa Rica...I could go on and on with My List.

i think you should go to south afrcia. my grandparents live there and i've been ... and its absolutley stunning. make sure you tour krueger national park or go cage diving with the great whites in cape town.

of course thats just a vacation ... if your moving .. go to london. you will love it and they will love you!

San Francisco, California. It's a city you cannot miss no matter what! The sights, the food, everything. It's expensive but it's worth it. I've been 3 times and I have left my heart there, just to be cliche, lol.

I don’t know if you’re serious about going everywhere (Europe?), but if you are, you have to go to the Blue Grotto on the island of Capri off Naples. It’s by far the most beautiful place in the world that I’ve ever seen. By far, by far.

I think you should do a road trip through America going to all the bizarre roadside attractions like the cowchip throwing capital of the world in Beaver Oklahoma. www.roadsideamerica.com is a really funny website I found that tells you all the crazy attractions in every state.

I think you should do a road trip through America going to all the bizarre roadside attractions like the cowchip throwing capital of the world in Beaver Oklahoma. www.roadsideamerica.com is a really funny website I found that tells you all the crazy attractions in every state.

That's quite the challenge you pose. I am biased since (besides college) I've been a city guy. However, here are my suggestions to you.

San Francisco: How much more liberal can you get? SF is my hometown. It is an explosion of diversity in culture, ideas, art, music, expressions. It has a rich history for one to explore and learn about, and it's on the forefront of contemporary culture, politics, etc. Plus, it's a gorgeous city as is the Bay Area!

Chicago: The financial heartbeat of the midwest also has a rich cultural feel to it. Aside from being one of the most diverse cities not on the coasts, there are great museums, sporting events, festivals, and more. It's a great city for a twentysomething. My only issue with the windy city is the fact that is snows and gets really cold during the winter. However, you're in NYC... no contest!

Lastly, I would suggest my current residence: Austin, TX. Sure, Texas is scarily Red... but Austin is an amazing oasis of Blue. Known for being the Live Music Capital of the world, there is so much happening in Austin living up to it's "Keep Austin Weird" mantra. The population is mostly liberal, open-minded, and young. Tons of young professionals, local and regional colleges and universities. Great warm weather and great Texas accents.

I have other suggestions, bot those'd be my top picks based on what you're looking for.

Let me be the wierd voice coming out of nowhere and recommend my hometown: Detroit. If you have never been here, please don't knock us. We have a great and resurgent Downtown, with casino's for the Vegas fix; architecture galore (largest collection of prewar skyscrapers outside NYC), and the state just passed a 40% tax break on film production, so movie companies are flocking to MI. (see new John Wayne movie or the Drew Barrymore movie about Roller Derby, both currently filming in Detroit). We also have a great university town nearby in Ann Arbor, home of the University of Michigan.

If you want one reason and one reason alone to visit Detroit for a weekend...google the Detroit Institute of Arts, and the Museum of African American History.

We have some of the best sports teams in the country, recently rated by sporting news as the best sports town in America, and the Downtown area of Detroit has a 33% LOWER crime rate then the average of a major cities Downtown.

Plus just as a kicker, we are the only city where you cross SOUTH to go into Canada, with Windsor right next door. Please feel free to ask me any questions...

I think a lot can be said for travelling and learning what you want out of life through new experiences. I went away 3 weeks last year, saw there was more to life, came home and broke up with my boyfriend, and that has turned out to be the best move Ive ever made.

So if you are keen to travel, do it! It doesnt have to be for a year, you could take a month or two off, see some places that you really want to see, and then hope you get some clarity about where to settle then!

Chelsea, I think you know the answer... If travel has been itching at you your entire life, and now a door opens where you have the opportunity, then you should jump on... Never refuse an invitation... Mind you, invitations come in many different forms, and more often then not it is your subconscious opening doors for you... Your fame will come with ease, not with forcing yourself to pick a place to live... Instead travel, write songs, meditate, ask for guidance, and let your new home open its doors to you!

However... you do write for Guidespot.com, and I don't want to lose you as a writer and hot mama GSpotter, so I might have to take the above back unless everyone here on your comment list goes to Guidespot, loves it, tells their friends, and makes fun and creativo guides... even then, I would still miss ya!

Well I can't really speak for you cause you're a different person with different thoughts and feelings but I would love to see either Rome or Britain. I'm a history major and the antiquity of those two areas just pulls at me.

If you're going to stay in the states, go to Texas. You get desert, green, beach, urban, and rural all in the same state. It's awesome. If you're going to leave the states, I say go to Belgium. Way fun place.

If you're looking for a completely warped way of life - rich mixed with poorer than poor, happy smiling people when nothing is going their way, crime rates & politicians to bizarre extents, beyond beautiful scenes and weather... then see you in dearest Sunny South Africa! Relax in Cape Town but get some good new fashioned excitement and bizarre times in Johannesburg!

I'd say leave the whole Western World behind for a bit and go experience Asia. Either travel through Thailand, Malaysia or Indonesia.. or even move to Bangkok or if you still want some of the comforts of home but a bit of an asian twist.. try Hong Kong! Actually yes.. move to Hong Kong! It's the New York City of Asia.. it's close to some pretty amazing tropical islands.. the best of all the worlds! Be brave and move somewhere exciting for a while!

For a big old change of scenery, come on down to Melbourne, Australia. We have an amazing artistic community, the local music scene is just incredible, the food is unbelievably diverse and ridiculously fresh and tasty, the fashion is gorgeous, the people are friendly and hot (I'm not biased or anything!) and the amalgamation of beautiful historic buildings and new modern feats of architechture is endlessly fascinating. Plus, St Kilda Beach is at one end, the Botanical Gardens at the other and there are about two million cocktail bars in between!!I am absolutely certain you would love it here, and as an added bonus, the population is 60% male, so your chances of finding lurve are high before you even begin looking!!Great place to holiday and an even better place to live. Look me up when you get here :)

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